Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Optimum Nutrition Gold standard protein shake ultra-processed?

141604667 Protein shakes Sold in the United States

Pack of Optimum Nutrition Gold standard protein shake

Yes, it's ultra-processed

  1. 1 Unprocessed
  2. 2 Kitchen staple
  3. 3 Processed
  4. 4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

  • 39 ingredients
  • 7 additives

Less processed protein shakes

Less processed isn't automatically healthier, so compare the labels for what matters to you, such as sugar or salt.

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

Filtered Water, Protein Blend (Milk Protein Isolate, Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein, Calcium Caseinate), Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavor, Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Magnesium Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, Ferric Orthophosphate, Zinc Aspartate, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Niacinamide, Vitamin A Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Cholecalciferol, Palmitate, Phytomenadione, Copper Amino Acid Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Molybdate, Chromium Chloride, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin), Cellulose Gel and Gum, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Salt, Heavy Cream, Marving usod Sucralose 20%, Acesulfame Potassium, Carrageenan

Additives: E343 Magnesium phosphates , E343i Monomagnesium phosphate , E407 Carrageenan , E452 Polyphosphates , E452i Sodium polyphosphate , E950 Acesulfame k , E955 Sucralose

Also detected, but not matched to one ingredient: E955 Sucralose.

As written on the pack

Filtered Water, Protein Blend (Milk Protein Isolate, Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate), Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavor, Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Magnesium Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, Ferric Orthophosphate, Zinc Aspartate, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Niacinamide, Vitamin A Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Cholecalciferol, Palmitate, Phytomenadione, Copper Amino Acid Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Molybdate, Chromium Chloride, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin), Cellulose Gel and Gum, Potassium Phosphate and Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Salt, Heavy Cream, 20% 20% Marving usod Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Carrageenan.

What makes it ultra-processed

Cosmetic additives

Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • E407 Carrageenan Carrageenan is a thickener and gelling agent extracted from red seaweed, used widely in dairy desserts, plant-based drinks and processed meats.
  • E452 Polyphosphates Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.
  • E950 Acesulfame k Acesulfame K is a synthetic sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar, often combined with aspartame or sucralose.
  • E955 Sucralose Sucralose is a sweetener made by chlorinating sugar.
  • Flavouring Flavourings are concentrated aroma preparations that add or intensify a taste.

Substances rarely used in home kitchens

Refined or extracted in factories, such as syrups made from starch or isolated proteins. The other hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • Milk proteins Milk proteins are proteins separated from milk, such as caseinates and whey protein concentrates, added to adjust texture or raise protein content.
2 ingredients that would only make it processed

Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.

  • Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
  • Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 158 protein shakes

From least to most processed, this one ranks 91st. 97% of the protein shakes here are ultra-processed.

Ranked by NOVA group, then by the number of ultra-processing signs, additives and ingredients. Our ordering, not part of NOVA.

All 158 protein shakes, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 0748927066586, last edited 5 August 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
  • Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
  • The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.